New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-12
4 STRIKE PRoBABLH PREVENTED.

4 STRIKE PROBABLY PREFENTED
II is deemed probable that great strike
Of anthracite coal miners has been ayerted.
The causes arc worth considering. 1t appears
that the Philadelphia and Reading employees
embracing fifty assemblies Of Knights OF La
bor. aften tcn-hour session on Monday, re-
fused 70 give Endorsement to the strike pro
posed by the miners and laborers' assoclauoh
unless the members of the latter organization
first Join the Knights of Labor. While this
disagreement between different labor organ
izations postponcs the strike, as to some OF
those whose cooperation was expected, other
conservative influences are felt among the
miners. The rapid increase of building and
loan associations within the past few years
has enabled a host Of miners to obtain homes
for themselves, which arc in most cases only
paid for in part. The men realize that pro
longed strike would deprive them OF ability TO
make the payments required, and thus would
result in the sacrifice Of their homes and oi
all their past savings. 1t is natural that the
more thrifty men, under such circumstances
counsel great prudence. and arc unwilling 10
ioin the proposed strike unless it is certain 70
be both short and successful. :.
Rut the most conservative leaders according
TO reports earnestly advise the men uhaC
strike mt this time is not likely to DC either
short or successful. The coal companies ana
operators have mined and on hand consider
oble supply Of coal for the season and the
markets arc well stocked. Prices have ruled
comparatvcly low, and an attempt to advance
,,r;ccs some time ago did not succeed. The
becn sharp. and successful in securing many
iplportant contracts. The enormous advance
in rail rates TO the West cuts OIL part OF inc
most rapidly increasing demand for anthracite
and threatens seriously TO disturb the tiaoe'
Indor these circumstances it is said that Mr..
powderlv advises strongly against the strike
believing that it could hardly end otherwise
Than in defeat. Other men of experience point
10 Tic crcat strike Of ten years ago, when
most Of the younger and more jealous miners
do not remember. and predict that the com
psncs and the operators would reap all the
bcneiis from prolonged struggle a this Tune
while the miners would have to bear all the
losses. an
Thc.e things teach several lessons. All
associations and arrangements by which the
workers are encouraged and enabled TO become
owners II homes Of their own operate eitecu'e-
" 70 prevent strife between employers and
en,rlovcd where there is not clear and sulll-
cicnt rca.on. One Of the largest
iron manufacturing establishments III
the country has for many years
aided liz employees in the purchase and build
ing of homes by a iudicious system OF al
vanccs II has so succeeded that fully two
Thirds Of the men now own their own dwell
inos Int the company realizes large return
from it's llcralty in terms proposed and III
ad,,nccs through tho comparative freedom Il
has cnioycd for ten years from difficulties
with lis worEmcn. Tho men como TO Iee'
tina. they arc in an important sense sh~tIs
in tho profits Of the enterprise and think t"'cS
l'bcfore they subject both the companies anu
themselves to loss by controversies that can
lie amicaby adjusted.
Ono other lesson is that the division between
labor organizations Of which there nave oeeh
so MANY signs of late operates as conSerVa-
two force. The men are not so easily pre-
c;pitaicd into an unwsc strike, when the RI
valrv Of different organizations sets shrewd
,rd couable leaders to critcsc the plans pro
noscd bv each other. Ten years ago, when
tbc miners were practically under the conuol
# \ fcw individuals. their mistake Of judgment
involved terrible suffering and loss MS
vcar il is likely the conflict OF rival orgah,~'C
lions and the sharp criticism OF rival icadCrS
will bring TO the understanding Of the mon uHr
serious obstacles which exist to the SUCCESS "a
strike. and thus save them from siilila'
sullerings.